Chapter 7

Panic flooded Raina's veins. Her brother was practically in the ER dying, and she didn't even have the money to pay for the bills.

"What happened?" Ariel asked, looking at her, and back at the phone. "Didn't you have any money in your card?" she asked, and Raina was unable to speak. Ariel shook her slightly, and she jumped.

"Kai. He has blocked all my cards as well," she whispered, and Ariel's hand flew to her mouth in a gasp.

Raina turned to her immediately. "Do you think you can borrow me some money? I promise I would pay you back," she said, trying hard not to cry. Even Ariel tried not to cry. She was one of Ryan's close friends as well.

"You know that I put everything into my company. I have nothing right now," she said, and Riana felt a tear slip down her face.

The nurse excused herself, and headed out to do other things. Raina took a deep breath. The next place she could think of going to, was a loan office. But she knew that even they weren't going to give her money. Ariel took off her earring immediately.

"We can sell this at the jewel shop. It's pure gold," she said, and Raina looked at the earrings. She didn't want to take her friend's belongings, but she didn't have a choice. She mentally promised herself that she was going to pay her back the second she had things figured out.

"Let's go find the nurse," she said, and headed back into the hallway. She was more than relieved to even see the nurse right in front of Ryan's room. She called for her attention immediately.

"I need to head out to get the money for the treatment. Please ask the doctor not to stop the treatment. I would definitely make the payment."

The nurse had barely opened her mouth to speak when Raina and Ariel were already heading out. The nurse hurried after her immediately.

"Your bills have been handled already," she said, and Rainafrowned. "I thought you knew."

"By who?" Ariel asked on Raina's behalf.

"Billionaire businessman. Aaron Kingston."

Every single time that Raina heard that name, she couldn't seem to ignore the amount of terror, hatred, and another unexplainable feeling that passed through her veins.

"Where is he?" she asked, gritting her teeth.

"At the reception," the nurse said, and hurried back to the ER. Raina could feel the energy bubbling from Ariel. But she didn't feel that way. The only thing she felt at that point was anger. She didn't need him poking his nose in her business like that. After all, he had no role to play in her life.

Aaron leaned on the wall, and watched the hallway. He waited for Raina to walk right out. But he couldn't complete his imagination. She was an unpredictable woman. An hour around her had already proved all that. Was she going to come and thank him? Fall at his feet? Or complain?

He finally spotted her as she walked out, with her hands into fists. He barely acknowledged the tiny woman that walked beside her.

"Why?" she asked, immediately she got to where he was standing.

The amused look on his face was unmistakable. "Good evening, Raina Ashborne." He clocked his tongue. "I mean, Raina Weston. Why what?"

The correction of her name stung more than anything, but Raina knew that she had to be strong. "Why did you go around paying my bills?" she asked, crossing her hands around her chest.

Her face was pink, and her lips were pinched together. There was a small frown line on her forehead. Aaron didn't know why he was noticing all these things, but he did. He wanted to know if the pink on her face meant she was angry or embarrassed.

"You obviously didn't have any means of paying. I had to step in," Aaron said, taking a deep breath and standing upright before adding. "You're carrying my child. The last thing I want is any kind of stress."

Ariel gasped again. Even if she thought her friend was joking, she definitely believed it this time. It was the first time that she was seeing someone like Aaron, anywhere except the television screen.

Raina gritted her teeth. She hated the fact that he had to remind her of her current financial status, every single time they met. They had only met thrice, but it counts.

"I was going to handle it myself. And this child is not yours until you accept to the terms," she said, tipping her chin.

"With what?" Aaron asked in a mocking tone. The hint of amusement was still present on his lips. "The little earrings in your hands?"

Raina had no idea how he saw them, but she hid them behind her dress. He grabbed her arm, leading her outside. Ariel was about to follow, but the sharp glance that Aaron gave her was enough to stop her in her tracks.

"What are you doing?" Raina asked, yanking her arm away. "We've barely known each other for twenty-four hours, and you are already manhandling me."

"We don't have to create a scene at the hospital," he said, and she looked away, refusing to acknowledge the fact that he was right.

"I will pay you back for your help," she muttered, and he looked away, already frustrated with the tiny woman.

"Have you made your decision about moving in with me?" he asked, and she tipped her chin even higher. She knew that that was the case where she seemed to have power right in her hands.

"Until you accept with my terms and conditions. Once you agree, and I don't even mind moving in with you tonight. Oh and expect to get your refund soon."

"You can definitely move in with me. But I do not have to coparent. Once you have the child, we go our separate ways, with the child in my custody."

Raina inhaled sharply. She knew how hard it was for her to get pregnant. Even if it was the mistake that made her end up in the condition that she was, currently. She knew that she couldn't just let go of her child.

"No," she said firmly.

Aaron himself was running out of patience. His brother was so close to taking over the company. He was already winning their grandfather over. He could not take any more chances. It was all too risky.

"Fine," he exhaled, and Raina turned to him.

"Fine... what?" she asked, just to make sure.

"I will co parent with you. Start packing your things. You can move in tomorrow. Jessica still has to move out."

"Is she your ex?" Raina asked and he looked even more offended than he was at the restaurant.

"That's not your problem. I'll be expecting you tomorrow. The contract will be ready by then as well.

"Contract?" Raina asked, but he was already heading back into his car.